Press Release: Affinity Bar Associations Join APA Community Expressing Disappointment in Fox News Segment
For Immediate Release
Nov. 18, 2016
For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
bschuster@napaba.org, 202-775-9555
WASHINGTON — Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the National Bar Association (NBA), the National LGBT Bar Association (National LGBT Bar), and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) joined a national coalition of organizations expressing their indignation in the segment, “Watters’ World: Chinatown Edition,” and deep dissatisfaction in public statements that dismiss community concerns over the offensive nature of the segment.
In October, Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor aired “Watters’ World: Chinatown Edition,” which featured Jesse Watters speaking with residents of New York City’s Chinatown — including some who do not appear to be native English speakers — with questions, many of which were only nominally related to the Presidential election and instead were based on racial and ethnic stereotypes.
“We found this segment to be highly offensive for its irresponsible use of these stereotypes and for its pejorative mischaracterization of Chinatown residents, immigrants, and limited English proficient communities,” said the presidents of the bar associations in a letter to Fox News.
“We join a coalition of Asian Pacific American organizations who call on Fox News to issue a written formal apology. We also encourage Fox News to take steps to increase understanding of implicit bias and to increase workforce diversity and inclusion,” said the presidents in their message.
HNBA Contact: Daniel Herrera: (202) 930-6805; dherrera@rabengroup.com
NAPABA Contact: Brett Schuster: (202) 775-9555; bschuster@napaba.org
NBA Contact: Lonita Baker: (502) 210-7062; communications@nationalbar.org
NNABA Contact: Jennifer Weddle: (303) 572-6565; executivedirector@nativeamericanbar.org
LGBT Bar Contact: Laura Hoch: (202)-637-7661; laura@lgbtbar.org
The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 50,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, and law students in the United States and its territories. From the days of its founding three decades ago, the HNBA has acted as a force for positive change within the legal profession. It does so by encouraging Latino students to choose a career in the law and by prompting their advancement within the profession once they graduate and start practicing. Through a combination of issue advocacy, programmatic activities, networking events and educational conferences, the HNBA has helped generations of lawyers succeed.
NAPABA is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and over 75 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
Founded in 1925, the NBA is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of minority attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 60,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. The organization seeks to advance the science of jurisprudence, preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.
Founded in 1973, the NNABA serves as the national association for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. NNABA strives for justice and effective legal representation for all American indigenous peoples; fosters the development of Native American lawyers and judges; and addresses social, cultural and legal issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.
An Unsung Hero in the Story of Interracial Marriage – The New Yorker
An Unsung Hero in the Story of Interracial Marriage – The New Yorker
Hon. Denny Chin, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, alerted us to this article just published in The New Yorker that talks about the landmark US Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia which struck down as unconstitutional anti-miscegenation laws. The article brings out the little known role played by William Marutani, who argued on behalf of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), an amicus curiae in the case.
Marutani was later appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, becoming the first Asian American judge in Pennsylvania.
Our own trailblazer, Hon. Marilyn Go, clerked for Judge Muritani. She shared with us this link to the oral argument in Loving v. Virginia. You can both hear and read the transcript, including Judge Marutani arguing for JACL. It comes from oyez.org, a multi-media archive project of Chicago-Kent College of Law, with a mission to make the “Supreme Court of the United States accessible to everyone.”
With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, we here at AABANY are truly blessed and grateful to have our esteemed jurists, Judge Chin and Judge Go, remind us of the contributions made by Asian American lawyers to the development of civil rights law in the United States. Let us not forget the struggles and triumphs of our trailblazers and predecessors for their role in paving the way to greater equality and justice for all. We need to follow and build on their example because the struggle continues.
Pro Bono General Counsel Program – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Pro Bono General Counsel Program – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The NAPABA Pro Bono General Counsel Program seeks to provide organizations serving the Asian Pacific American (APA) community with access to high-quality, pro bono legal advice and counsel that they cannot afford. The program is intended to help APA-serving organizations promote good governance practices and comply with relevant laws and regulations. The General Counsel’s activities might include advising clients about maintaining tax exempt status, reviewing contracts, and ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations. We provide these services through the generous pro bono services of volunteer attorneys.
Interested organizations and volunteer attorneys should complete the designated application forms. Applications will be submitted to the database, and organizations will be provided an opportunity to interview and hire a volunteer attorney.
An Open Letter from the MinKwon Center
An Open Letter from the MinKwon Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2016
For more information, contact:
James Hong
718.460.5600
james.hong@minkwon.org
Dear Friends, Allies and Community,
For decades, the MinKwon Center has fought for those oppressed and marginalized in society. Today, our mission to empower our community takes on an unprecedented urgency.
- Legal services and consultation for immigrants regarding their status will continue. If you are undocumented, contact us immediately to see if you are eligible for a visa or other form of relief. This includes anyone currently with DACA.
- DACA recipients with expirations in the next 6 months should contact us immediately, to process a renewal. We have begun offering additional clinic days to process these applications.
- We are preparing know-your-rights workshops on protecting yourself when approached by immigration enforcement officials.
- The Asian American Dreamers Collective, our undocumented young adult group, is convening special meetings and events for Dreamers to share a space of grief, pain and to respond together.
- MinKwon is strategizing with our allies in the non-profit, government and philanthropic world on how to respond to a federal government hostile to immigrants in a way not seen in generations.
We are here to help, assist and empower the community. As an organization committed to immigrants, the MinKwon Center is renewed in its sense of mission to serve the urgent needs of the vulnerable, and to give a voice to the undocumented, low-income, limited English proficient, and Asian Americans who are now at even greater risk.
This is not a time to stay silent, nor to accept what is happening to our family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. It is a time for action, and we invite you to join us.
Contact us if you have questions, need assistance or would like to volunteer. Our number is 718-460-5600.
Affiliate Grant Program – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Affiliate Grant Program – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
NAPABA recognizes the importance of affiliates and national associates at the local level as a support network for Asian Pacific American attorneys and communities and those interested in Asian Pacific American legal issues. The NAPABA Affiliate Grant Program was established to support affiliates and national associates in carrying out activities to further their missions and goals. The program offers affiliates and national associates the opportunity to receive funding up to $3,000 annually for projects related to membership development and pro bono activities.
Deadline: Dec. 20 – apply now!